Adoption

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Transcript of Adoption

A vital Christian contribution to society BiblicalAdoption Scripture Adoption in the UK If at least one family in every UK church accepted or fostered a child, we could end the waiting for the majority of children in the system. Promoting Adoption Today Issues Raised Adoption -Childrenswork, Dec 2012 Vol 1 Issue 3, pg. 18 Adoption in the Bible Theological Adoption Adoption and the Bible Today Moses and Pharaoh's Daughter Esther and Mordecai Joseph and Jesus? Psalm 2: "You are my son; today I have become your father." God and David Mark 1: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." God and Jesus John 1: "to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" God and Us “To enter into adoption was not so much to enter into a family as to enter into the financial, social and political orbit of the adoptive father” David L. Barlett, "Adoption in the Bible", The Child in the Bible, pg. 385 “There is, I have attempted to show, no dimension of ethical passion more central in the tradition of the Bible than the protection of orphans... We know, directly from God, that protection of vulnerable children outside our own family is a central requirement of faith.” Walter Brueggemann, "Vulnerable Children, Divine Passion and Human Obligation." The Child in the Bible, pg. 420 Protection of the vulnerable God-given dignity of all Jesus' commands to receive children as himself Response to God's love for us Isaiah 1:17 James 1:27 Deuteronomy 14:29 Deuteronomy 24:19 Psalm 82:3 Jeremiah 22:3 Deuteronomy 10:18 Psalm 68:5 Psalm 149:6 Zechariah 7:10 What is Adoption? Social Need Statistics Current social Context Legal Procedure transferring parental rights of a child from the birth parents to the adopters Sources: GOV.UK Child Adoption: https://www.gov.uk/child-adoption British Association of Adoption and Fostering: http://www.baaf.org.uk/info/adoption Birth Parents must consent, unless they are mentally incapable or the child would be put at risk if not adopted Arranged through an agency in cooperation with the local authority Contrasts with long term fostering, which can provide the same care, but not the same legal protection Who can Adopt? Over 21Single, Couple, Married, or Civil PartnershipAble to provide a "permanent, stable and caring home"Similar cultural background encouraged Who can be Adopted? Under 18Given for adoption by parentsOrphanedOr: Removed from parents with no chance of contact / returning Assumptions: Adoption within the UK (not international)Most of this presentation is equally applicable to fostering “A large proportion of children who end up in care are the result of a persistent cycle of inadequate or uninformed parenting that can leave generations of victims in its wake” Krish Kandiah, Home for Good, pg. 26 Family support doesn't end when you turn 18 In England 2011: 65,520 Children in Care 62% - Abuse or Neglect23% - Family disfunction or Stress Reasons 74% - Foster Placement9% - Children's Homes4% - Placed for Adoption Type of Care 26,830 Children Leaving Care 39% - Returned Home15% - Aged Out11% - Adopted 4,290 Children Awaiting Adoption Source: Department for Education -http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/a00196857/children-looked-after-by-local-authorities-in-engl What's the role of the church? Discussion “There is, I have attempted to show, no dimension of ethical passion more central in the tradition of the Bible than the protection of orphans... We know, directly from God, that protection of vulnerable children outside our own family is a central requirement of faith.” Walter Brueggemann, "Vulnerable Children, Divine Passion and Human Obligation." The Child in the Bible, pg. 420 Given a social need and a scriptural mandate: Is everyone called to foster/adopt? Encouragingto Adopt Some tips from Home for Good Most vs. Best Vulnerable Children vs.Vulnerable Adults If we want to see the most children given a stable, caring home, do we encourage 'non-traditional' families to adopt? How can churches support these families while remaining faithful to their understandings of singleness, marriage and family? How do you promote the cause of vulnerable children, but maintain the dignity of adults unable to care for children? http://www.homeforgood.org.uk Preach about vulnerable children in the Bible Invite foster/adoptive parents to speak about their experiences, and pray for them Make sure foster families have support both in and out of church Build partnerships with social services—offer the church building as a resource for them ReactionaryTheology What are your reasons for promoting adoption? Is adoption an end-goal? Early-adopted children have similar life outcomes to children raised by their biological parents; children in care are more likely to go to prison or end up on the streets